Upcoming April HR Changes

April is around the corner and as too is the implementation of employment law changes. Increases galore in the statutory payment rates, significant changes to whiltleblowing legislation and collective redundancy consultation, here’s a run down of what’s lurking…Statutory Payment Rates

From 6th April SSP increases to £86.70 per week (from £85.85) with the weekly earnings threshold increasing from £107 to £109.

From 7th April statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay increases from £135.45 a week (or 90% of normal weekly earnings if lower) to £136.78.

Collective Redundancy Consultation

From 6th April, the consultation period for collective redundancies involving 100 or more employees will be reduced from 90 days to 45 days. The reason for this is that the previous consultation period was too inflexible for many employers and, given the complexities, it was thought that restructuring may be delayed and employees at risk of redundancy were unable to take up alternative employment. The 45 days, however, has been reduced as a minimum and organisations may consult for longer if its appropriate to do so. Interesting, employees under a fixed-term contract which are due to expire, will be excluded from the collective redundancy consultation requirements – more expected on this shortly.

Whistleblowing

There will be a change to the definition of “qualifying disclosure” to refer specifically to disclosures “in the public interest” which removes the loophole so as to prevent employees bring claims relating to matters of personal issues that are not in the public interest.

In addition to the above, there will be a Children and Families Bill expected to be introduced in Parliament this month and ACAS will be producing a Code of Practice and Guidance on the extended right to request flexible working and shared parental leave. The plans are to extend the right to request flexible working to all qualifying employees with 26 weeks continuous service from 2014 and the new system for shared parental leave from 2015.
There’s more in hand for the summer and Crispin Rhodes will be bringing you more updates nearer the time, however, if you have any questions or need support within you organisation, please let us know – we’re happy to help